Get those hummer feeders out

hammerl

19 years ago

Hummingbirds have reached upstate NY, looks like around Ithaca perhaps. Get your feeders ready.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hummingbird Migration Map

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Comments (18)

erica254
19 years ago
WOOOHOOOO! I just put mine out today......I can't wait!

Erica
penny1947
19 years ago
THere is a report from Hambirg/Orchard Park area also. My first feeder went up last Monday. My Salvia Guaranitica Black and Blue is in full bloom, my Savia Azurea seeds have sprouted and I am ready! Now if the garden centers would just get in some gartenmeister fuschia, I would be good to go.

Penny
Related Discussions
Do your hummers prefer flowers or feeders?
Q
Comments (22)
Yes, it is good to have this sort of interest, but perhaps a little less squabbling would have been good--I say, a bit sheepishly. The only other Trey I ever heard of was also a guy, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The question remains, is BN a guy? I don't know of any non-female Kristins, and I am, indeed a gal. Isn't it nice we got all of that straightened out? I had a feeling there was more to your garden than you originally described, and from the beginning I suspected that's why you were so puzzled by the birds' behavior. At an earlier stage in the discussion I was frustrated that appropriate conversations were being missed in favor of the Trey's garden doesn't have much to offer hypothesis. I, too, am glad to see the discussion turn to analysis of behavior. A number of good thoughts have been expressed already. I figured your "other hummer plants" referred to significant additional plants, but even I was surprised by how much your garden has to offer. It also sounds like there are similarities between our gardens and where they are situated. The garden I speak of is actually at my mother's house in suburban Pittsburgh. Like yours, it's an old suburb, with lots of woods and streams nearby. Also, except for the trumpet vine, lilies, and daylilies, all of the hummer plantings are new this year--Agastache, Monarda, Aquilegia canadensis, Lobelia cardinalis, Salvia coccinea, Petunias, Verbenas (both annual and perennial), snapdragons, impatiens, and cardinal climber in a pot. Of these, only the Aquilegia, Salvia, petunias, verbenas, and Agastache are currently blooming. I wonder if Jenny's suggestion about patience may be in order for us. Perhaps simple habit is the key here, and it will take time for the hummers to get used to the fact that there are good, natural food sources in our gardens. Still, I think I may be onto something when I say that feeders are easy. Once the hummers have figured them out, they are like fast food. I hate to use that analogy, but I think it's apt. Feeders allow them to come in, feed, and get out quickly, with very little expenditure of energy. Feeders don't, however, provide the traces of extra nutrition that may be present in flower nectar. That is why it disturbed and surprised me last year when the hummers so readily switched from the trumpet vines to my feeders. It was nice having them at the feeders because it made them easier to see, but I couldn't help but worry if I were doing them a disservice, like opening a McDonald's. To combat this, I resolved to plant more flowers this year, and have done so. So far, I'm seeing the same thing as you--feeder preference over flowers. Interesting that when I took both feeders in for cleaning, and had them inside for an hour, I first saw the female at the columbine. Let me know if you decide to experiment with bringing your feeders inside. Are your feeders situated in your garden in plain view of the flowers? I couldn't quite figure that out from your description of you and your neighbors' yards. There also seems to be some difference in opinion about what we can expect from young birds and their behavior. On the one hand, with no feeder experience, you'd think they would be more likely to use natural sources. My experience, though, was that they, too, immediately abandoned the trumpet vine for feeders. I posted the picture of my feeder, because I wonder if the design is easier for them to acclimate to than some of the other types. I modelled one of them after a cardinal climber flower, and the other after a Salvia. Perhaps they're similar enough to flowers that it's simple for even young birds to catch on. Who knows. Maybe I'm a "victim" of my own feeder making skills. That said, it's awfully hard to arrive at conclusions about why these little birds do what they do. We could run years of carefully controlled scientific studies and we'd no doubt learn something, but still wouldn't be able to explain some of their behavior with certainty. I believe they are also capable of quirky, individual behaviors that are hard to analyze.
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More hummer feeder questions/opinions please?
Q
Comments (22)
All of my feeders are hanging under the branches of shade trees out of the sun, since light and warmth will encourage bacteria and/or mold in any feeder, regardless of whether it's plastic or glass. Rainwater helps that along, so the downward-pointing tubes you're using keep the nectar cleaner than any other type, but aren't practical if the hummingbirds consume a gallon of sugar-water a day. In the past fifteen years, two or three 8 - 16oz feeders were plenty and uneaten nectar had to be dumped every third day or so. But I started planting more flowers last year and got the first breeding pair to take up residence. This year, with even more flowering plants, there was an unexpected population explosion. Now there are twelve feeders in the yard of seven different types/ brands and they all get used, though five are hung under what's become The Hummingbird Tree because of the crowd that prefers to feed there. They're using both rings on the Best-1 as perches:
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Hummers like feeders or flowers better?
Q
Comments (37)
I don't know which they like better, since I've never put up a feeder. But I do know that with flowers alone, you can attract regular visits from the hummingbirds! Each year, there are more flowers growing in the gardens than the last. Once the Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) goes into full bloom, the hummers will visit the flowers regularly until they are ready to leave in the fall. After the Bee Balm, the Lobelia cardinalis blooms, and then the Salvia splendens and coccinea, and the Cardinal climber. These are all hummingbird favorites. The flowers seem to be visited about every 15-20 mintues. Often I'll see 2 hummers, tussling and chasing each other around the flowers and yard. Last summer, there were 2 females fighting over the Lobelia cardinalis, and a male flew into the fracas, probably the mate of one of the females. Three hummingbirds were the most I've seen at one time. I have a very native and natural backyard, so their needs for habitat and insects are satisfied as well. It also helps that a couple of the neighbors have nice gardens too.
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hummers will not drink from one feeder
Q
Comments (4)
I am using the same nectar. I make my own and store it in a plastic container which I keep in the fridge. The first picture with the hummer at the feeder is from last summer. It is in the exact same location where I put the 3rd feeder that they won't touch. I've never had trouble with that location. I've also tried hanging it in my front yard. They just won't touch the 3rd one no matter where I place it or if it's been cleaned and new nectar put in.
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misstish64
19 years ago
My sugar water is cooling as I write...c'mon up the Hudson guys!

I wish I had something in bloom for them. The native columbine doesn't look close to blooming. Anxious to see if their agastache 'Desert Sunrise' does well. It has leaves on it. I'm with you, Penny- waiting for the fuschia! Last year they loved it.

Got a new digital camera this year- one with a good telephoto and image stabilization- so I'm hoping to catch one at the feeder. I feel like a hummingbird stalker...
penny1947
19 years ago
I stopped at the nursery the other day to check on the fuschia and they told me maybe mid to late may...well that is too late! I have one Salvia G. Black & Blue that I grew myself from seed last year that is in full bloom right now. So I will at least have one plant for them that is blooming if they come early.

Penny
misstish64
19 years ago
Penny, do you have a Lowe's near you? I just got back from there, and ours has a brand new shipment of blue butterfly delphinium in bloom. I know my hummingbird visitors last year loved mine. I had to resist buying another one, they looked really good. If I had more room...
penny1947
19 years ago
Misstish
THe closest Lowes is about 45 minutes away in Orchard Park. One of the other nurseries I stop at only occasionally does have delphs in stock. I stopped there over the week end and pickeed up a penstemon and and gastache. I have seeds sown for both of these but I wanted ones that would bloom this year so I got one plant of each. Also I now have 3 of my salvia guaraniticas in bloom. One is the hybrid of my original black and blue and the other is a true black and blue. Looks like things are starting to pop now that is is finally warming up.

There is a new siting in Liverpool, NY

Penny
lblack61
19 years ago
Uh oh...that's about 25 miles south of me.
I'm new to feeding hummers and I just bought a feeder on Saturday. Do they like the nectar cold or room temperature?
I just mixed some up and have it cooling on the counter.
penny1947
19 years ago
Here is the correct method of preparing nectar for your feeder:
1 part plain white granulated sugar (don't use powdered sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners or the stuff they sell in the stores labeled as hummingbird nectar as it has red dye which isn't good for the hummers)
4 parts boiled water The water should be boiled first and then add the water to the sugar.
Stir to dissolve sugar completely
DO NOT add red food coloring to the nectar. This is harmful to the hummers and there is enough red coloring on the feeders to be noticed by them.
Let the nectar completely to cool to room temp before filling the feeder

WHen I use refrigerated nectar, I let it sit for a little while to bring it closer to room temp before putting it outside. FLower nectar is at the same temp as the air around them.

Unused nectar may be stored in the refrigerator for a week. Freeders should be emptied cleaned and refilled with fresh nectar every 3 days. Nectar can mold on hot days quickly and cause serious illness or death to hummers.

If you are just starting to feed hummers or only have one or two don't fill a feeder all the way. For an 8 oz. feeder you can use 4 oz. of nectar. that way you aren't wasting a lot of sugar.

At the beginning of the season I half fill my feeders. When they start to empty them on a daily basis I either add another feeder or add more nectar to the feeders. I usually make my nectar the night before I am going to fill the feeders. that way it is ready first thing. I take it out of the refrigerator while I am making coffee and my husband's lunch by the time I am ready to fill the feeders the chill is gone.

Penny
lblack61
19 years ago
Thanks, Penny :-)
penny1947
19 years ago
You are welcome. Here's hoping that we all see our humnmers very soon. I just finished making a new batch of nectar so I have it ready to change out the feeders later today. THis time of year I change them Sunday and Wednesday since it is still cool. Once we start getting warmer weather I do them every 2-3 days.

Penny
flybabytina
19 years ago
Check out this website, it is a Kids website but this page has some cute Hummingbird downloads!

Here is a link that might be useful: Billy Bear's Hummingbird Page
Buffalobirdbrain
19 years ago
Penny,
Spoth's Greenhouse on Tonawanda Creek Road (Amherst Side) usually has beautiful Gartenmeister fushias. They grow their own stuff right there and open on May 1st.
Carol
matt_v
19 years ago
Greetings! As an avid Birder, I'm amazed that Hummingbirds are being reported from NY State before May. Have any of you actually SEEN one yet?? We are talking record early here...

In Syracuse, most of the RUHU (Hummingbirds) arrive around May 1st. In my yard, the average is around May 9th. It doesn't hurt to get your feeders out early, just make sure to change the fluid each week. Orioles are due this week, and they too come to feeders. Mine are also attracted to juice oranges cut in half and impaled on tree branches, etc.

Both Orioles and Hummingbirds benefit from a sweeter nectar in early spring. Exhausted from migration, they load up on calories as soon as they arrive. I usually make a 3:1 solution for the first two weeks. Follow Penny's advice above, just use 3 cups of water to 1 cup PURE CANE SUGAR. Note the bag must say PURE CANE SUGAR. The Wegmans brand of cheap sugar is made from beets, and RUHU ignore it. After mid-May, RUHU nectar goes back to 4:1. Good Luck!! I'll post when my Hummers return!!!

PS: You can make a hanging basket for them by using cheap annuals potted in last year's Fuschia basket. Use Salvia, Impatiens, Phlox, etc. Most superstores have something in the L&G section by now!!
ldoty
19 years ago
also anxiously awaiting their return. nothing really in bloom yet but, i do have some wave petunias in hanging baskets that i hope will help.

Here is a link that might be useful: some pics of last years hummers
LynneNY
19 years ago
Matt - mine have also shown up the last 5 years religiously between May 1-3, so I haven't rushed to fill my feeders just yet. I, too, am surprised that they have been seen way before that...
penny1947
19 years ago
Matt,
Last year My report to Lanny Chambers was the first one in this area. I reported it on April 28th although I thought I saw him at the feeder on the 27th of April but I startled him and me too and flew off before I could confirm for sure. But early on the 28th. There he was at the feeder in front of my front porch so that is the date of record. There is already a confirmed siting in Mississauga, Ontario as of Friday.

Carol,
Thank you for the tip about Spoth's. I will take a run out there and check out what they have. I can also see what they bring to the farmers' market in NY when they come on the week ends.

I do generally make up my own hanging baskets of impatiens,etc. But I also like to get something that had some nutritional value that is why I like the fuschias.

Penny
lblack61
19 years ago
This will be my first year having feeders for the hummingbirds, so I'm not sure I'll spot them right away since my feeder will be a new feeding point for them.
I haven't seen any yet, and it has cooled off significantly-- I don't know if that's a factor in their migration or not at this point.
oldroser
19 years ago
My Gartenmeister Bonstede Fuchsia spent the winter in the livingroom and is ready to put out just as soon as it stops freezing at night. It flowered all winter in a south window and I'll cut it back a bit before it goes outside for the summer.

Get those hummer feeders out

Comments (18)

erica254

penny1947

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